Government announces greater protection for whistleblowers

The government has given details of a proposed amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which will strengthen the protections available to whistleblowers.

The amendment will:

• introduce a provision which treats detrimental acts of one co-worker towards another who has blown the whistle, as being done by the employer and therefore makes the employer responsible; and
• provide a defence for an employer who is able to show that they took all reasonable steps to prevent the detrimental treatment of a co-workers towards another who blew the whistle.

Employment Relations Minister Jo Swinson said:

“The protection offered by whistleblowing legislation is strong but there are always ways to improve it. This amendment takes into account recent events and will place whistleblowers, who are making a difficult decision, in a better position. They will now have a specific employment protection in place and be able to have the full force of a tribunal behind them if they suffer any detriment, bullying or harassment from a co-worker.

“The change will not impact on good employers who see that it as their responsibility to make sure their staff have a good working environment.”